Effect Of Microfinance Institution On Poverty Alleviation In South Sudan: A Case Of Juba County, South Sudan

Abstract

This study was purposed with assessing the impact of microfinance institution on poverty alleviation in Juba County, South Sudan. The study specific objectives were to establish the impact of savings by microfinance institutions on alleviation of poverty, in addition determine the influence of micro insurance on alleviation of poverty by microfinance institutions thereafter establish the effect of micro credit on poverty alleviation by microfinance institutions and finally determine the impact of training by microfinance institutions on alleviation of poverty in South Sudan. This study adopted a descriptive research design. The study’s target population composed all members of 11 microfinance institutions in Juba County, South Sudan who made a total number of respondents who were suitable for the study. The study applied stratified random sampling with the help of Yamane's formula to sample population. Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics using SPSS and presented using tables, pie charts and bar graphs. On the study findings, explained that there was a very high number of agreement on the statement that savings of respondents had improved for the past 5 years. On Micro-insurance, the study explained that the respondents have taken several micro-insurance cover. This may constitute for business education and any other risk in the future. On the other hand, the study found that Micro-credit improved their basic needs. Lastly on training, it was explained that trainings have enabled majority of the respondents to save more than before. In conclusion, microfinance institutions are put in place in order to solve an existing problem in the local community. The poor are unable to access commercial bank services due to high interest rate repayment, expensive security and a lot of appraisal for customer character. Banks, on the other hand also incline to avoid the SMEs due to a low return. In this case MFIs are recommended to ensure that everyone is considered irrespective of their poverty level. The government and respective law must enforce strong policies, strategies, laws and regulations that enhances introduction of enough microfinance institutions to influence companions in financial sectors in order to lower interest rate and other cost of borrowing. The study proposed that in creating awareness by MFIs, they should create a demonstration effect in which insurance is seen as part of risk management strategy by the poor. Therefore, the institutions conduct a thorough analysis on the customer character, capacity, collateral and capital in order to offer a credit to them. This credit is a form of development to the firm helps to develop the firm and also helps in the eradication of poverty. The study recommended that micro credit should focus on improvement of client basic need which may lead to the customer loyalty.